 The Bout That Cried Wolf
Vazquez-Tapia a go—for realsies this time
Report and photo by Chris Cozzone
It’s on. It’s off. It’s on. It’s off.
After unsteady negotiations, swapping one set of promoters for another, one network for another, then the venue, the all-too-often-announced IBF Super Bantamweight World title fight between champ Israel Vazquez (38-3, 27 KOs) and former five-time world champion Johnny Tapia (55-4-2, 28 KOs) is a done deal.
Besides the fighters, the only thing that’ll remain the same is the date—July 29.
Well, and the city: Tapia’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Originally, the match was scheduled to be televised on Telefutura at Isleta Casino, and promoted by Fresquez Productions and Don Chargin.
Instead of Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo,” it’ll be ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
Rather than have it outdoors at a 7,000-seat outdoor venue, temporarily built outside of Isleta Casino, the event will be held at the 18,000-seat venue of the Pit, where Tapia won two of his five world titles.
And instead of Fresquez/Chargin, it’ll be Vazquez’s promoter, Sycuan Ringside, in association with Albuquerque-based Guy Riordan, LLC., a former business partner with Fresquez.
“There were a lot of different issues at stake,” Riordan said today at a press conference held at the Albuquerque Downs. “But it came down to business. This title fight is not about Guy Riordan and Lenny Fresquez—it’s about Johnny Tapia and Israel Vazquez.”
While heated up at first, Fresquez is now shrugging his shoulders.
“I wish ‘em the best of luck,” he said over the phone on Wednesday. “I’ll still be rooting for Johnny to win.”
Fresquez will also be busy that night, for just a couple miles south of the Pit, he’ll be busy with Don Chargin promoting that July 29th Telefutura-televised fight card at Isleta.
Only instead of Johnny Tapia, it’ll be WBA Fedlatin Welter champ Lee Montoya (8-0, 6 KOs) who will defend his belt against Mexico’s Freddie Hernandez (17-1, 14 KOs). In the co-main, Cuauhtemoc Vargas (13-0-1, 9 Kos) will take on former WBC Youth champ Idelfonso Martinez (13-5, 10 KOs). Locals David Martinez (12-0-1, 2 KOs), Hector Munoz (10-1, 5 KOs) and Joe Cruz (1-0, 1 KO) are also expected to fight.
Local fight fans will be forced to choose cards—something they are no strangers to. Last November, both Santa Ana Star Casino and Fresquez Productions held cards on the same night.
Ringside Sycuan and Riordan do not expect Fresquez’s card to complicate matters at the Pit.
“Tapia is at the end of his career,” said Riordan. “Who is going to miss out at seeing a great champion like Tapia fight for what is probably his last chance for another world title?”
If Tapia wins, it’ll be his sixth world title—but champion Israel Vazquez does not think he has a chance, hometown or no hometown.
“I’m 70 to 80 percent sure I can beat Johnny Tapia,” Vazquez said today at the press conference.
“He is a grand campeon and a great fighter, but I’m happy for the opportunity to beat him in his hometown. I guarantee you that the people will not be disappointed in the fight.”
Of his 59 opponents, Tapia likens Vazquez to 1997 cross-town nemesis Danny Romero, who Tapia outboxed to a unanimous decision.
“He’s another Romero, only he’s more of a stalker,” said Tapia.
“Vazquez is a strong fighter, a hard hitter. He’ll bring out the very best in me. We were sparring partners in 1996 so we know each other’s styles. It’s gonna be 12 long rounds.”
Vazquez is coming off a title defense decision over Armando Guerrero (20-4-6, 11 KOs) three weeks ago on ESPN2, while Tapia avenged a 2004 loss to Frankie Archuleta (24-4-1, 13 KOs) in April.
“I proved in my last fight that I still have it,” said Tapia. “I’m still strong. But I ask my fans to please come support me—I’ll do the rest in the ring.”
Tickets for Vazquez-Tapia go on sale Monday at Tickets.com
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